Lesson VIII. Single Darning (Tacking)

This new exercise stimulates at once by the interesting change of position. The needle moves vertically along the material - up and down.

Method

1st Position : Up : place the eye end of the needle upon the first and second finger of the right hand, and hold in place by the thumb, lifting on the needle the required stitches (Diag. 27).

Diag. 27. Diag. 27A.

2nd Position : Down: hold needle between thumb and first finger as for top sewing (Diag. 27A).

Darning may be done on either right or wrong sides ; this entirely depends on the weaving of the texture. It is considered better to darn on the wrong side and allow the loops left for shrinking to be hidden; but as these disappear after the first washing, it is of no consequence. A really good darn should appear equally tidy and workmanlike on either side.

The darning on the needle-case is decorative and useful, at the same time as that part is darned which is most likely to have the nap or ply fall off, and unless darned (fine tacking) at the beginning may probably soon become worn.

Working from left to right is preferred by the pupil. The hand does not cover up the darn, and the regularity in size and spacing is more easily accomplished.

Here the Arm-hole width is introduced cut in straight fashion. The depth may compare as well as the width with the neckband.

Proportion of neck, wrist, armhole, should be constantly compared and contrasted.

The big step in advance, at this point, is the idea of extra material being allowed for, by the motion or action of the arm. This, later on, is disposed of by darts, pleats, gathers, and in Dressmaking and' Tailoring by shaping (an acquired and skilful art, quite beyond the compass of children at fourteen years of age).

And it must be kept in mind that while cutting out in relation to the craft of the needle is a separate and self-contained branch of instruction, in another sense, as a natural craft for the child, it forms a method of instruction resulting in an intelligent competent man and woman, not necessarily a skilled artisan or a skilled craftswoman.